Camping continues to grow as a popular outdoor activity worldwide. More people are participating in different forms of camping, exploring various accommodation options, and adopting new travel patterns. To cater to these evolving preferences, campgrounds are expanding their services to include RV camping, glamping, and eco-friendly options.
These changes are evident in the latest camping statistics and trends in North America.
Key Camping Trends in North America
- Over 87.99 million North American campers participated in camping in 2023.
- Nearly 50% of campers are now Millennials and Gen Zers.
- One-third of first-time campers in 2023 were aged between 18 and 34.
- Camping participation has increased by 23% since 2014.
- RV ownership has nearly doubled since 2014.
- 32% of all campers tried glamping for the first time in 2023.
- Winter camping is becoming more popular, with a 28% participation rate in 2023/2024.
- Shoulder season camping (fall and spring) has increased by 21% since 2021.
How many people go camping every year in North America?
Over 87.99 million people engaged in camping activities in North America in 2023, with 5.5 million new campers.
This includes over 53.67 million active campers (those who started in the past few years and lifelong campers), and other inactive campers (those who camped off and on throughout the years).
- Overall Growth: There has been a 23% increase in campers since 2014.
- Active Campers: The number of households who have camped in the past year has risen by 68%.
How often do people go camping each year in North America?
- Campers typically take 1-3 camping trips annually, spending an average of 6.7 nights per year.
How much do campers spend on their camping trips in North America?
- Campers spend an average of $156 per day during camping trips in 2023.
Camping Demographics: Who camps the most in North America?
Nearly half of all campers are under 35 years old, an increase compared to 30% in 2014.
- Generational Split: Among new campers in 2023, 21% were Gen Z, 28% were Millennials, 22% were Gen X, and 29% were Baby Boomers or the Silent Generation.
Camping Preferences: Where Did People Camp the Most in North America in 2023?
- 29% of camping nights were spent at national, state, or provincial park campgrounds.
- 27% of camping nights were spent at private campgrounds and glampgrounds, and 44% for other locations like backcountry, national forests, public or privately owned land, street camping and municipal.
Click here to know what is the best destination to go camp.
Camper Distribution in the U.S. National Parks in 2023
The 63 U.S. National Parks welcomed 92.39 million recreation visits in 2023. Out of those, more than 8.42 million visitors chose to camp.
- Tent camping was the most popular type of camping in the U.S. National Parks, followed by RV camping.
- Yosemite National Park led with the highest number of tent and RV campers in 2023, totalling 275,278 tent campers and 196,092 RV campers.
- A smaller number of visitors choose the more remote and adventurous option of backcountry camping.
What are the most popular types of camping in North America?
Over 26.88 million campers chose tent camping in 2023.
Although it remains the most popular type of accommodation, tent camping now accounts for less than 50% of all camping households, as more people choose cabins and glamping.
- Cabins and Glamping: These options have seen the largest increase in popularity, with over 15.74 million campers choosing them in 2023.
- New Campers: Among new campers in 2023, 44% tried glamping, compared to 32% of all campers.
How common was the use of RVs in camping in North America in 2023?
RVs accounted for 46.8% of camping vehicles in 2023, representing approximately 13.29 million campers.
- RV Ownership: The popularity of RV camping has increased in recent years, especially in North America, where RV sales reached 313,000 units in 2023.
- RV Rentals: In 2023, 1.7 million households rented RVs, and this number is expected to increase to 1.9 million in 2024.
- Camping Duration: RV campers spent an average of 5.4 nights camping in 2023.
What types of activities do people enjoy while camping in North America?
- Natural Events: 56% of new campers in 2023 used camping as an opportunity to experience natural events like eclipses.
- Food Tourism: 31% of campers incorporated food tourism into their trips.
- Popular activities during camping included:
- 43% of campers enjoyed sitting around a campfire.
- 41% went fishing.
- 39% went hiking.
- 29% participated in bird watching and stargazing.
Blended Travel
- 92% of campers combined camping with other forms of travel in 2023, such as visiting family or friends (78%), staying at hotels or resorts (67%), and hunting or fishing camps (61%).
Road Trips
- Camping was included in 76% of road trips in 2023, reflecting the growing popularity of combining road travel with outdoor adventures.
Winter Camping
28% of active campers tried winter camping in 2023/2024, up from 17% in the previous year​.
- Shoulder Season Camping: Camping during the fall and spring has increased by 21% since 2021, while peak season camping declined by 4%.
- Winter RV Camping: 79% of winter campers used RVs.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Camping Industry in North America
COVID-19 led to an increase in the popularity of camping as a travel option from 2021 to 2023.
- In 2021, 40% of all leisure trips involved camping. This suggested that people preferred outdoor activities during the pandemic.
- In 2022, camping trips made up 32% of all leisure travel, a slight decrease as other travel options began to return.
- In 2023, 27% of leisure trips were for camping, showing a continued preference for camping, although less compared to the previous two years.
How does technology influence camping experiences in North America?
Technology plays an increasingly important role in enhancing camping experiences.
- Wi-Fi as an Amenity: In 2023, 48% of campers considered Wi-Fi the most important amenity when choosing a campground.
- Booking Platforms: 59.2% of private camping properties used booking platforms like The Dyrt to manage reservations.
- Booking Challenges: 45.5% of campers reported difficulty booking campsites due to sold-out campgrounds in 2023, down from 58.4% in 2022. This improvement may be due to increased campground capacities and better reservation systems.
USA Camping Statistics 2024
These offers detailed insights into campers’ preferences and camping destinations in the U.S.
How popular is camping in the U.S.?
- 1 in 4 Americans camped in 2023, showing the increasing popularity of camping.
- 4 out of 5 U.S. adults have camped at least once in their life, and 2 out of 3 say they are interested in camping in the next three years.
USA Travel Resources
What types of camping are most popular in the U.S.?
- 46.8% of campers listed RV or trailer camping as their primary type of camping in 2023.
- 31.4% of campers preferred tent camping, followed by 7.5% who chose camper vans, and 3.9% truck camping.
- 9% of campers experienced glamping, with 42% of them trying it for the first time.
Who are the primary campers in the U.S.?
A large proportion of first-time campers in 2023 were between the ages of 18 and 34, reflecting a rise in younger participants.
- Campers aged 65 and older made up 29.1% of the camping population, up 4.9% compared to the previous year.
Looking Ahead
- The global camping and caravanning market was valued at $69.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to rise to $72.82 billion in 2024.
- 52% of 2023 North American campers are likely to continue camping in 2024, a 15% increase from 2022.
Camping Statistics by Country
- Camping Statistics in Canada
- Camping Statistics in Europe & the UK
- Camping Statistics in Australia
- Camping Trends